release date: Feb. 1978
format: vinyl (AB 4169) / cd (2016 remaster)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,88]
producer: Lou Reed, Richard Robinson
label: Arista Records - nationality: USA
Track highlights: 1. "Gimme Some Good Times" (4 / 5) - 3. "Street Hassle: a) 'Waltzing Matilda' - b) 'Street Hassle' - c) 'Slipaway' " - 4. "I Wanna Be Black" - 5. "Real Good Time Together" (4 / 5) - 6. "Shooting Star" - 7. Leaving Me Alone" - 8. "Wait" (4 / 5)
8th studio album by Lou Reed follows 1½ years after Rock and Roll Heart (Oct. '76) and it has been co-produced by Reed and Richard Robinson. The album may not contain his greatest songs, but it may just be a fine document of his ongoing struggles in and with life itself - and in many ways this is a fine return to form. The 70s probably sent Lou on his most frightening trips, experimenting with (too many) substances and finding himself in and out of relationships. All that may be heard on the album, but it also documents his writing capabilities. When Lou is good, he really rocks away - not like a gifted singer or a prodigy guitarist, but more like a freight train providing whatever is needed. The sound here is dark and somewhat murky but not in a negative way. It's an album that reflects real lived life in a truly honest and genuine way.
I have always preferred this particular album over many of his more acclaimed releases, and I find it refreshingly honest. There's no bull about it - just very straight forward and it's a sheer blast when played loud. Imho, this is his third-best solo album throughout his long career only bettered by New York (1989) and his best-ever: Transformer from 1972.
(My issue is a US-import cut-out record)
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5, Chicago 4 / 4, Rolling Stone Album Guide 5 / 5 ]
